I’m raising money to make sure all our neighbors have access to healthy food. This year is especially significant to me, as it is my last Hike for Hunger as the Executive Director here at the Amherst Survival Center. I know I'll continue to support the Center because I believe so deeply in what we do. Will you help me make a difference for families facing food insecurity?
The Amherst Survival Center is stretching to meet rising need, especially given federal cuts to SNAP and other benefit programs. They are doing that with less support, due to loss of a federal grant and reductions in quantities of key staples from the Food Bank. Your support means that people can get delicious, nutritious meals four days a week, take home 14 days' worth of groceries each month, and have regular access to fresh produce and baked goods!
Please consider making a donation of any amount to the Amherst Survival Center and help ensure that all our neighbors have access to food. All donations are tax-deductible and you’ll receive an email receipt immediately after you donate.
Thank you so much for your support! Let’s give hunger the boot!
Hike for Hunger
Hike for Hunger is a monthlong opportunity to hit the trails while raising funds to ensure our neighbors have access to healthy food. Proceeds from Hike for Hunger go directly to the Amherst Survival Center's food and nutrition programs, which last year provided more than 1.6 million meals (prepared and groceries) to close to 11,000 people by way of:
- Free hot lunches in our sunny dining room served 4x weekly
- Free groceries from our Food Pantry, providing up to 14 days of food per person per month
- Free grocery delivery to over 1,000 people in Western Mass every month
- Additional free produce and baked items offered 4x weekly from outdoor Fresh Food Distribution.
The Amherst Survival Center is stretching to keep its shelves stocked as their food pantry is now serving 61% more people each month than during the highest peaks of the pandemic, and more than double the number of people they served in 2019. At the same time, the end of COVID grants and supply chain issues have reduced the food that the Center is able to get from the Food Bank, which means our food programs are buying more than ever to keep shelves stocked. Your support of Hike for Hunger makes it possible for the Amherst Survival Center to respond to the growing need and get more food to more people.
The Amherst Survival Center provides essential resources to meet basic needs, and has been serving as a welcoming and inclusive hub for close to five decades. Services include:
- Free hot lunches in the sunny dining room, served 4x weekly
- Free groceries from the Food Pantry, providing up to 14 days of food per person per month
- Free grocery delivery to over 1,000 people in Western Mass every month
- Free health clinic visits with great local doctors
- Free onsite mail boxes, lockers, and showers for people experiencing homelessness
- AND Free community events and workshops like musical performances and fitness classes
Since 2019, the Amherst Survival Center's kitchen has quadrupled its daily meal service, and the Food Pantry has tripled the amount of monthly food provided per individual. In the last year, the Center provided nearly 1.3 million meals—prepared and groceries—to close to 8,500 people.
For more information, visit www.amherstsurvival.org